Three finalists have been announced for the 2012 Broward County Arts Teacher of the Year.

Broward Cultural Division and Business for the Arts of Broward are proud to name Hilary Fine, visual art, Hollywood Academy of Arts & Science; Susan Ostheim, visual art, South Broward High School and Nina Zakrzewski, musical theatre, acting, stagecraft, English honors, Nova High School as the esteemed finalists for this excellence in arts education award. Broward County’s 27th Arts Teacher of the Year celebration will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 6 p.m., at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Please RSVP Here for this Event.

Hilary Fine has made it her mission to advance the integration of the arts and education, focusing her work on introducing the various world cultures, community and human dignity. Susan Ostheim encourages her students, co-workers, and parents to "Keep the Arts Alive!" and after more than 20 years of teaching art, she can't think of anything she would rather do. Nina Zakrzewski’s advanced acting classes have been proclaimed “Agents of Change” by Broward’s Office of Prevention, through their original anti-bullying musical, Weight of Words which has been touring Broward County Schools, and also performing for the Broward Center Student Enrichment in the Arts (SEAS) Program, playing to more than 20,000 people.

This year’s event is gearing up to be particularly glittered, with an ensemble cast of local celebrities and talent, led by CBS4s Emmy Award-Winning Anchor Shannon Hori who will emcee the evening’s festivities. The program will include more than 100 students from the three finalist high schools performing and exhibiting, through a visual arts exhibition in the lobby of the Broward Center, and a series of six – eight minute stage performances. The singing of the National Anthem, will be conducted by local singing sensation Julia Dale, the 11-year-old who recently received national attention when she sang the National Anthem at the NBA Finals for the Miami Heat in 2011 and 2012; and the Dillard Jazz Ensemble’s performance led by Band Director Christopher Dorsey will also be on the program. Additionally this year, arts education supporter DJ Felix Sama with 93.9 MIA (Clear Channel) and the Rhythm City DJ Skool will perform at the reception.

For 27 years, the Arts Teacher of the Year Program has celebrated and showcased the artistic excellence of students and faculty of Broward County schools. Through a partnership among Broward Cultural Division, the School Board of Broward County, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Business for the Arts of Broward and sponsorship from AutoNation; BankUnited; BBX Capital; BGT Partners; Broward College; FPL; Great American Farms; Kopelowitz, Ostrow, Ferguson, Weiselberg, Keechl; Merrimac Ventures; Nova Southeastern University; RSM McGladrey; Starmark; Stiles Corporation; Sun-Sentinel; and WLD Enterprises, the Arts Teacher of the Year Program highlights an outstanding arts teacher and provides an opportunity for arts students to gain valuable experience performing in a high quality, professional, performing arts institution.

An application workshop for the Regional Investment Program and the Cultural Institution Program (CINP) is offered on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at 2:00 pm in the Main Library, Bienes Conference Room, Sixth Floor, 100 S. Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. The workshop is designed for ongoing applicants and prospective applicants to the two programs. Workshop participants will be instructed on how to submit an online application.

The purpose of the Regional Investment Program is to assist eligible South Florida-based, not-for-profit cultural organizations, that have been operational in their cultural disciplines for a minimum of three years immediately preceding the date of application, in meeting general operating expenses associated with the presentation and/or production of a regular season of exhibitions, programs, events or performances open to the general public in Broward County. The workshop will also cover submission of online grant applications.

An organization must have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, and documented yearly Broward revenue of at least $40,000 to be eligible for funding. Organizations such as Miami City Ballet, City Theatre and Fantasy Theater Factory have received funding through this program.

The purpose of the Cultural Institution Program is to assist eligible Broward-based, not-for-profit cultural organizations with an annual operating budget of at least $1 million in meeting general operating expenses associated with the presentation and/or production of a regular season of exhibitions, programs, events or performances open to the general public in Broward County.

Applicants for the CINP must have ten-year uninterrupted history of providing services in Broward County in their established cultural disciplines. Organizations such as Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, and the Museum of Discovery and Science have received funding through this program.

For both the Regional Investment and Cultural Institution programs, the application deadlineisNovember 15, 2012 for fiscal year 2014 funding. Only organizations designated by the Broward Cultural Council, as either a Regional Investment or Cultural Institution organization are eligible to apply. There is no fee for the workshops, and interested persons may register online by CLICKING HERE.

The public is invited to meet artist Jennifer Andrews and participate in a discussion about the public art slotted for the new Pompano Beach Branch Library. The meeting will be held on Monday, September 10, 2012, at 7 p.m., in the City Commission Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 100 W. Atlantic Boulevard, in Pompano Beach. Library patrons, planners, city representatives, county representatives, civic associations and the general public are encouraged to attend.

During this meeting, artist Jennifer Andrews of the Andrews/LeFevre Studios will give an overview of past public artworks including their famous “Literary Walk” for the Main Branch of the New York Public Library. The artist will ask guests to share ideas for themes that have special interest and meaning for the local area. She will communicate how the artists plan to synthesize the information and experiences expressed by the community, and translate it into an integrated design for a public artwork, to serve and inspire the community and the library in which it will be located. “We believe that beneath every location and institution there lays an untold, nearly forgotten history,” says Gregg LeFevre of Andrews/LeFevre Studios. “It is this historic sense of place that we hope to use to inform the final artwork.”

Andrews/LeFevre Studios’ success has been built on collaboration with architects, community groups, civic organizations and government agencies, and the artists state that these partnerships are a vital part of their creative process. Their projects always take into consideration the specific needs of the site as well as the public who will interact with the work.

Andrews/LeFevre Studios creates site specific art installations for public art programs. The Studio has more than thirty years of experience crafting medallions and inset metal relief work. Literary walkways, timelines, wall reliefs and terrazzo designs are among their specialties. Past projects include works for the Boston Public Library, the Main Branch of the New York Public Library, the Literary Walk in Iowa City, Dallas Arboretum, King County Courthouse in Seattle, WA, Colonial Williamsburg, and Union Square Timeline in NY, NY. The artists have worked together on public art works since 1997, with studios located in New York City.

Library Bond Dollars at WorkA joint project of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners,The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency,and the City of Pompano Beach

Grantmakers in the Arts 2012 ConferenceForging Connections

Florida grantmakers: Please consider joining your peers for Grantmakers in the Arts’ annual convening of arts grantmakers from across the country. Come together to share knowledge and ideas, develop collective strategies, and learn about the latest initiatives in arts grantmaking.

2012 Conference OverviewIn addition to thematic plenary sessions featuring notable keynote speakers and performances, over forty educational sessions will address all aspects of cultural funding, including international exchange, education policy, fellowships for artists, equitable funding of culturally diverse organizations, the arts as economic development, capitalization challenges for nonprofits, and roles for artists in healthcare and programs for the aging.

Additionally, the conference includes networking opportunities, social events, and offsite sessions highlighting the diverse artists and organizations of the region.

Topic-Specific PreconferencesThre day-long preconferences, on Sunday, October 14, will focus on the themes of Support for Individual Artists, Arts and Culture in Immigrant Communities, and the Role of Arts and Artists in Health across the Lifespan, in partnership with the National Center on Creative Aging and the Society of Arts and Healthcare. Please note: The Role of Arts and Artists in Health across the Lifespan preconference is open to non-arts grantmakers interested in exploring the intersection of funding in health/healthcare and the arts. Please contact GIA directly if your organization is interested in signing up for this preconference only at (206) 624-2312.

Registration InformationConference registration is open to staff and trustees of organizations that are eligible for GIA membership, although membership in GIA is not required for conference attendance. These include private, community, corporate, and family foundations; public sector grantmakers; regranting organizations whose primary purpose is arts grantmaking; and individual donors who give through eligible organizations.

To register, or for detailed information on keynote speakers, educational sessions and special events, visit www.conference.giarts.org.

Dr. Margaret Mitchell Armand Speaks on her Broward Experience

Dr. Margaret Mitchell Armand

Dr. Margaret Mitchell Armand from Broward County Cultural Council will speak about her experiences in Broward County as a Haitian-American woman, at the Fort Lauderdale History Center, on Monday, September 10, at 6:00 p.m.

This informal monthly lecture series provides participants with a wide array of topics, an engaging speaker and an opportunity to experience a sense of Old Fort Lauderdale hospitality as the small-town feel of the Potluck Dinner provides an opportunity to forge new friendships. Please join us at 5:30 PM for a Potluck Dinner and bring a dish to share.

A resident of Plantation, FL. since 1979, Margaret Mitchell Armand was born and raised in Haiti and lived in New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. A graduate of the University of Texas, she earned a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Changing lives through her career as an educator, licensed mental health counselor, Supreme Court family mediator and lecturer, she worked with the Broward County School System from 1980-1991. A visiting professor at national and international universities, her expertise in culture and education is rooted in the social sciences and humanities that positioned her in a unique place. An artist, poet and scholar she is published in academic books and featured "Identify Yourself" in the Cultural Quarterly Spring 2004 "Expression of Freedom" with her art on the cover.

"Eye on South Florida"Offers Local Charities Free Air Time

“One of the most pressing challenges facing not-for-profit organizations in South Florida is obtaining news coverage for their special events. With editorial space at a premium, and soft news coverage dwindling, charities are finding it ever more difficult to share their success stories with the public,” claims Jack Namer, founder of 3F Television and Eye on South Florida.

Founded in 2011, Eye on South Florida is an innovative news network dedicated to providing an outlet to non-profit organizations with live, real time broadcasting from their fundraising event. Namer provides the on-air service, pro bono.

The impact of Eye on South Florida coverage is multi- faceted. Once confirmed, a crew attends the event and it can be viewed, in real time by the public, on select cable and TV channels as well as on the internet. Live interviews are conducted with event organizers, board members, honorees and VIP guests.

Utilizing the power of social media, Eye on South Florida is able to inform the charity’s donors, constituents, supporters and followers to tune in or log on to watch as the special event unfolds. Reminders and updates can, also, be sent with text messages to millions of people, generated by Eye on South Florida. After the event, Eye on South Florida goes back to their production studio and edits a full-length, quality news package that is featured and later archived on their website.

For more information or to request an application for coverage contact:Eye on South Florida (954) 370-9900; www.eyeonsouthflorida.com

Florida Grand Opera Appoints Susan T. Danis as New General Director

Susan T. Danis

Florida Grand Opera (FGO) is proud to announce the appointment of the company’s new General Director and CEO,Susan T. Danis. An established arts advocate and leader with a proven track record of fiscal growth, Danis is scheduled to take the position as the company’s fourth General Director on October 9, 2012.

Susan T. Danis comes to FGO with more than 20 years of arts administration and particular expertise in the areas of marketing and fundraising. Since 1999, she has served as the Executive Director of Sarasota Opera, and has been instrumental in the company’s continued fiscal development.

During her tenure in Sarasota, the company’s operating budget more than doubled, growing from $3.2 million to over $8 million. Beating fundraising goals at every turn, Danis increased individual giving by more than 200% in a seven-year period and raised more than $47 million for a capital campaign, part of which funded the $20 million renovation of the company’s historic theater. A savvy businesswoman with real estate expertise, she personally oversaw every detail of the project through its completion in 2008, as well as the overhaul of the company’s 16-unit apartment complex. Her efforts earned her the Florida Trust for Historic Preservations Award for Outstanding Achievement in Restoration in 2010.

A proven leader in the opera community, Danis recently completed a six-year term as a member of the Board of Trustees of OPERA America, three of which she served as treasurer. She served as an emeritus board member of the Sarasota Music Archive, a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Junior League, a past board member of the Sarasota County Arts Council and the New Gate School of Sarasota. She also acted as a panelist for the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment of the Arts.

This E-News is distributed by Broward Cultural Division. If you have questions, contact Jody Leshinsky 954-357-7463.